Tunnel Testing

Remember the 1989 Tour de France when after 2,400 miles of racing Greg Lemond took the TT by eight seconds to with the race. Many accredit his win over Lauren Fignon to superior aerodynamics. Some, actually citing that Lauren’s ponytail may have lost him the race. And I know we’ve all see Lance on TV modifying his position in the wind tunnel. Even as a guy who shaves his legs, I’ve always wondered how big of a difference it really makes.

I just got off the phone with Slipstream rider, Jason Donald who had just finish wind tunnel testing today up in Ft Collins, CO. (Just in case you don’t remember, Donald finish second last year in the Tour of California TT just one second behind Levi Leipheimer.) He said he had to sustain 395 watts to hold 30 mph when he went into the tunnel. After some position adjustments he only has to hold 355 watts to sustain the same speed. 40 watts is huge, that’s like 8-minutes in a 40km TT for free. He would have won the TT last year!! It’s also rumored that a new skin suit using some of the same aerodynamic concepts as a golf ball, is being developed for their team which will save another 8 watts.

WOW!! I guess aerodynamics do make a difference.